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Subject Topic: Is a new MCB required ? Post Reply Post New Topic
03/4/2012 at 5:12pm
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Adria Altea 542DT
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We have just come back from our very first caravan weekend away in our new Bailey Ranger 550/6.

The only problem we had over the few days was that one of the MCB's kept on tripping out. It almost seemed to be random when it would trip and didn't seem to make any difference what was switched on or plugged in!
The trip is marked Fire / Fridge / Sockets, but despite unplugging the fridge or switching off the fire it would still trip. Sometimes it would stay on for several hours or sometimes just a few minutes. It's annoying as we would go out for the day and then come back to find the fridge was switched off because of the trip.

Due to it's random nature I was thinking that the trip could be faulty, and may need replacing.

Does anyone have any experience of these trips that are made by F&S ? Can they go faulty ?

Can anyone advise where I could get a new trip from for a reasonable price ? (I have looked on Ebay)

The trip is marked as F&S C45N C15 415V

Any help would be greatly appreciated.



03/4/2012 at 6:12pm
 Location: West Mids
 Outfit: Swift Ace Statesman & X-Trail 2.0
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I've read a number of posts regading these F&S MCB's and the general opinion is ... they're rubbish.

A standard type B domestic MCB should fit as the consumer unit should have a standard rail within it - see example here.

-------------
Paul

Every day's a school day!


03/4/2012 at 6:28pm
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Adria Altea 542DT
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Thanks Paul, I am hoping that it is just a 'rubbish' MCB and not a fault with the van.

The MCB currently fitted is a 2 pole version and is therefore twice the width of the one you posted.

See Here

Problem is I can't seem to find one in Screwfix.

Anybody recommend a supplier ?
The trip is marked as F&S C45N C15 415V 6KA

Post last edited on 03/04/2012 18:40:55


03/4/2012 at 7:32pm
 Location: West Mids
 Outfit: Swift Ace Statesman & X-Trail 2.0
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I think Bailey might be using a different manufacturer for these now, see Bailey parts.

You can get duff breakers. Might be worth (for what it will take), checking all socket wiring is secure too. Did you run with the fridge and heater disconnected?

-------------
Paul

Every day's a school day!


03/4/2012 at 8:08pm
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Adria Altea 542DT
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We unplugged the fridge and it still tripped. We then swicthed off the heater (doesn't have a plug) and it still tripped. We finally tried unplugging anything we had added (TV and phone charger) but it still tripped.

Unless there is somethinbg wired into this circuit that I don't know about then I think it may be faulty.

I noticed the Bailey website shows a different make, but our trip is marked as C15 (Is that 15A ?) I have emailed Bailey for advice, but they haven't come back to me yet.

The new one on the Bailey website is only 10 Amp. Is this going to cause me a problem or is 10A the norm ?



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04/4/2012 at 12:24pm
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Adria Altea 542DT
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I have been looking around, but still can't seem to find a 15 Amp 2 Pole MCB.
Bailey only seem to have a 10 Amp version.

I can find a 16 Amp version on Ebay SEE HERE

Will this be OK ??


04/4/2012 at 3:23pm
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!0 Amp MCB's are the norm for most caravans and unless you are a heavy user  are adequate.

Saxo1



04/4/2012 at 3:33pm
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Adria Altea 542DT
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Thanks for the information, I assume all Baileys are now fitted with 10 Amp MCB's as that is all they seem to have on the website.

The MCB in our van is on the Heater / Fridge / Sockets circuit.
If we had the heater on it's 2Kw setting, that would use around 8 Amps if I am correct.

I am just a little concerned that if we fit a 10A and we have the heater, fridge and something like the TV on then we may be pushing the 10A limit.

Anybody have any idea how much the fridge uses ?


04/4/2012 at 4:48pm
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It depends on the size etc but probably in the region of 1/2 - 1 Amp max. Using what you have said you would have no problems unless you try to boil the kettle while the heater is on,even if you did trip it it's just a matter of switching one of the higher rated appliances off and resetting it

Saxo1



18/3/2016 at 4:39pm
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I've just replaced an F&S c45n c10 mcb with a CPN mc210c from city electrics york, its their own cheap imported brand (china made)I used it because it looks exactly like the f&s mcb and it fit the bus bar and is working fine." target="_blank">http://

Post last edited on 18/03/2016 16:57:05


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20/3/2016 at 9:48pm
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: Motorhome CI Riviera 171
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Googling a C45N mcb suggests it could be a rebranded Merlin Gerin mcb - normally a good quality piece of kit.

Merlin gear is now branded under the Schneider Electric range and any good electrical wholesaler should be able to obtain. A double pole mcb may not be off the shelf though


21/3/2016 at 9:35pm
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Have you tried plugging in at home or another location before you change anything? The reason I mention this is that we had the same problem a few years ago, but it turned out to be a problem with something in the adjacent motorhome, which somehow was causing our MCB to trip. No idea why, it hasn't happened since & we've had our electrics checked out & all OK.

Pterodactyl


27/10/2017 at 10:27pm
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the tripping stopped after replacing the mcb and everything worked fine up until a couple of weeks ago the rcd burnt from the top down, I may not have tightened the screws onto the busbar enough or just overloaded too often, but the rcd was over fifteen years old. I ended up replacing everything in the consumer unit.


28/10/2017 at 8:18pm
 Location: West country
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One thing to remember with MCBs is that they trip on overload via a thermal trip. It may be rated at 10A but that is only if it is adequately ventilated and it's not in a very high ambient temperature.

This also means, if you stuff your bedding in up against the consumer unit, the MCBs will warm up and trip with less than 10A.



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